Yes, you didnt hear wrong. This is new strategy from Facebook to strengthen their SME accounts via free limited ads.

Facebook is launching a programme to attract small businesses to its online advertising platform by offering free advertisement credits for the social network.

The company is offering 50,000 small companies up to £60 worth of advertising credits each.

It has also published a “toolkit” to help entrepreneurs understand online advertising and is running a series of regional business advice events across the UK in conjunction with the British Chambers of Commerce.

The scheme starts in the UK today and will also be rolled out in other European markets later this month.

Facebook, which has faced shareholder anger over a disastrous flotation on the stock market this month, will be hoping its latest charm offensive has better results.

Gregor Lawson, co-founder of Morphsuits, which has an £11m turnover, said his company has used Facebook since the fancy dress business was established in 2009.